Arsenal Set to Be Without Young Striker for Another Season After Work Permit Blow

​Arsenal will be without promising young forward prospect Takuma Asano next season, after the 22-year-old failed to gain a work permit which could see him play in England.

The Japan international spent all of last season on loan at VfB Stuttgart, playing 26 2.Bundesliga games for the German side as they won promotion to the top flight, but has still not played enough games for his national team to earn permission to play in England.

​Bild report that this means he must remain at Stuttgart for their return to the Bundesliga, not triggering any of the clauses which would have allowed the Gunners to cut the deal short.

Arsenal could have recalled the former Sanfrecce Hiroshima man if he played fewer than 25 games for the German side, if they had failed to get promoted to the top flight or if he gained a work permit which would allow him to play in England with his parent club.

None of those clauses were triggered though, allowing Asano to remain at the club for whom he scored four goals and set up four more last season for another season as he continues to build his burgeoning reputation.

Speaking shortly after bringing the youngster to the club last summer, Arsene Wenger said: "Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future. He has had an impressive start to his career in Japan and we look forward to him developing over the next couple of years."

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